Metallo-β-lactamase (MβL) enzymes are usually produced by multiresistant Gram-negative bacterial strains and have spread worldwide. An approach based on phage display was employed to select single-domain ... [more ▼]

Metallo-β-lactamase (MβL) enzymes are usually produced by multiresistant Gram-negative bacterial strains and have spread worldwide. An approach based on phage display was employed to select single-domain antibody fragments (VHHs also called Nanobodies) that would inhibit the clinically relevant VIM-4 MβL. Out of more than 50 selected nanobodies, only the NbVIM_38 nanobody inhibited VIM-4. The paratope, inhibition mechanism and epitope of NbVIM_38 nanobody were then characterised. An alanine scan of the NbVIM_38 paratope showed that its binding was driven by hydrophobic amino acids. The inhibitory concentration was in the µM range for all tested β-lactams. In addition, the inhibition was found to follow a mixed hyperbolic profile with a predominantly uncompetitive component. Moreover, substrate inhibition was recorded only after nanobody binding. These kinetic data are indicative of a binding site that is distant from the active site. This finding was confirmed by epitope mapping analysis that was performed using peptides, and which identified two stretches of amino acids in the L6 loop and at the end of the alpha2 helix. Because this binding site is distant from the active site and alters both the substrate binding and catalytic properties of VIM-4, this nanobody can be considered as an allosteric inhibitor. [less ▲]

Six variants of human lysozyme (single-point mutatants I56T, F57I, W64R, D67H and double mutants F57I/T70N, W112R/T70N) are associated with a hereditary non-neuropathic systemic amyloidosis. These proteins form extracellular amyloid fibrils that deposit in a wide range of tissues and organs such as liver, spleen and kidneys where they cause damages [1]. It was shown that the D67H and I56T mutations cause a loss in stability and more particularly a loss of global cooperativity of protein [1]. Consequently, under physiologically relevant conditions, these variants can transiently populate a partially unfolded state in which the beta-domain and the C-helix are cooperatively unfolded while the rest of the protein remains native like [1]. The formation of intermolecular interactions between the regions that are unfolded in this intermediate state is likely to be a fundamental trigger of the aggregation process that ultimately leads to the formation and deposition of fibrils in tissues. We have also shown that the binding of three variable domain of camelid antibodies (VHHs) - raised against the wild type human lysozyme inhibit in vitro the formation of amyloid fibrils by the lysozyme variants. These three VHHs bind on different regions of lysozyme and act as amyloid fibril inhibitor through different mechanisms [2, 3, and unpublished results]. In the present work, sixteen new VHHs specific of human lysozyme have been generated. Competition experiments have shown that they bind to five non-overlapping epitopes. We have demonstrated that five of these VHHs are able to bind lysozyme in conditions used for amyloid fibril formation, and interestingly two of them recognize two epitopes that are different from those of the three VHHs previously characterized [2, 3, and unpublished results]. The effects of these new VHHs on the properties of lysozyme variants such as stability, cooperativity and aggregation will be discussed. [1] Dumoulin, M., J.R. Kumita, and C.M. Dobson, Normal and aberrant biological self-assembly: Insights from studies of human lysozyme and its amyloidogenic variants. Acc Chem Res, 2006, 39(9), 603-610. [2] Dumoulin, M., et al., A camelid antibody fragment inhibits the formation of amyloid fibrils by human lysozyme. Nature, 2003, 424, 783-788. [3] Chan, P.H., et al., Engineering a camelid antibody fragment that binds to the active site of human lysozyme and inhibits its conversion into amyloid fibrils. Biochemistry, 2008, 47, 11041-11054. [less ▲]

The term "amyloidosis" covers a group of diseases associated with the deposition of protein aggregates organized into amyloid fibrils in different organs. About forty amyloidoses are known so far, amongst ... [more ▼]

The term "amyloidosis" covers a group of diseases associated with the deposition of protein aggregates organized into amyloid fibrils in different organs. About forty amyloidoses are known so far, amongst which Alzheimer's disease, type II diabetes and immunoglobulin amyloidosis [1]. Although the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation at the molecular level is not yet completely understood, it has been shown that the capacity to form amyloid fibrils in vitro is an intrinsic property of all polypeptide chains [1]. The choice of model proteins to investigate the aggregation process in vitro is therefore not restrained to proteins involved in amyloidoses but can be settled on a wide variety of proteins. In this study, we have chosen to investigate the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation by two variable domains of camelid heavy-chain antibodies (referred to as VHHs or nanobodies), cAb-HuL6 and cAb-BcII10, for which variants with mutations located at the disulfide bond [3,4] and the CDRs [3] are available. Characterisation of the aggregating properties of these mutants will allow the investigation of the impact of these structural elements on the process of fibril formation. In order to determine conditions in which cAb-HuL6 and cAb-BcII10 are more susceptible to form amyloid fibrils, heat-induced unfolding experiments at several pHs have been monitored by intrinsic fluorescence and circular dichroism. Then, aggregation experiments have been performed in the selected conditions and the presence of amyloid fibrils has been acknowledged by thioflavineT fluorescence experiments and electron microscopy. We will discuss the kinetics of aggregation obtained in the absence and the presence of seeding/cross-seeding and the stability of the formed fibrils. [1] Chiti and Dobson, Annu. Rev. Biochem., 75, 2006, 333-366 ; [2] Dumoulin et al., Protein Sci., 11, 2002, 500-515 ; [3] Saerens et al., J. Mol. Biol., 352, 2005, 597-607 ; [4] Saerens et al., J. Mol. Biol., 377, 2008, 478-488. [less ▲]

Six variants of human lysozyme (single-point mutations I56T, F57I, W64R, D67H and double mutations F57I/T70N, W112R/T70N) are associated with a hereditary non-neuropathic systemic amyloidose. These proteins form extracellular amyloid fibrils that deposit in a wide range of tissues and organs such as liver, spleen and kidneys where they cause damages [1]. It was shown that the D67H and I56T mutations cause a loss in stability and more particularly a loss of global cooperativity of protein [1]. Consequently, under physiologically relevant conditions, these variants can transiently populate a partially unfolded state in which the beta-domain and the C-helix are cooperatively unfolded while the rest of the protein remains native like [1]. The formation of intermolecular interactions between the regions that are unfolded in this intermediate state is likely to be a fundamental trigger of the aggregation process that ultimately leads to the formation and deposition of fibrils in tissues. We have also shown that the binding of three variable domain of camelid antibodies or (VHHs) - raised against the wild type human lysozyme inhibit in vitro the formation of amyloid fibrils by the lysozyme variants. These three VHHs bind on different regions of lysozyme and act as amyloid fibrils inhibitor through different mechanisms [2, 3, and unpublished results]. In the present work, sixteen new VHHs specific of human lysozyme have been generated. Competition experiments have shown that they bind to five non overlapping epitopes. We have demonstrated that five of these new VHHs are able to bind lysozyme in conditions used for amyloid fibril formation, and interestingly two of them recognize two epitopes that are different from those of the three VHHs previously characterized [2, 3, and unpublished results]. The effects of these new VHHs on the properties of lysozyme variants such as activity, stability, cooperativity and aggregation will be discussed. [less ▲]

Nine progressive neurodegenerative diseases are associated with the expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract above a threshold size (~ 35-45 residues) into nine different proteins [1]. These proteins with expanded polyQ repeats have been found to form intranuclear amyloid-like aggregates, and the formation of these aggregates could play an important role in the pathogenesis [2-4]. The polyQ expansion is the only common feature among the proteins involved, suggesting it may be responsible for the aggregation phenomenon. Understanding the molecular mechanism by which the polyQ expansions promote aggregation is therefore crucial for the development of therapeutic strategies. The nine proteins associated with polyQ diseases are difficult to express recombinantly due to their big size and/or their insoluble character. In order to get further insights into the mechanism by which polyQ tracts promote aggregation, we have therefore decided to insert polyQ sequences into a well studied protein, the b-lactamase BlaP from B. licheniformis [5-6]. We have created chimeras containing 23, 30, 55, and 79 glutamines and we have investigated the effects of the insertions on the activity, the structure, the stability of BlaP as well as on its aggregating properties. Preliminary results indicate that BlaP is a good framework to study the molecular mechanism of aggregation associated with expanded polyglutamine tracts. On another hand, our previous work on the amyloidogenic variants of human lysozyme has shown that camelid single domain antibody fragments are very powerful structural probes to understand, at the molecular level, the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation [7]. Moreover, a recent study has suggested that expanded polyQ strectches adopt multiple conformations in solution that can be readily distinguished by monoclonal antibodies [8]. Altogether these results have encouraged us to generate VHHs against our different chimeras and we present here our preliminary results. References [1] Orr and Zoghbi (2007) Annu Rev Neurosci 30, 575-621. [2] DiFiglia et al. (1997) Science 277, 1990-1993. [3] Paulson HL (2000) Brain Pathol 10, 293-299. [4] Sanchez I. et al. (2003) Nature 421, 373-379. [5] Scarafone N. (2008) Mémoire de DEA en Sciences. Université de Liège. [6] Pain C. (2009) Mémoire de Master en Biochimie. Université de Liège. [7] Dumoulin et al. (2003) Nature 424, 783-788. [8] Legleiter J. et al. (2009) J Biol Chem 284, 21647-21648. [less ▲]

The term "amyloidosis" covers a group of diseases associated with the deposition of protein aggregates organized into amyloid fibrils in different organs. About forty amyloidosis are known so far, amongst ... [more ▼]

The term "amyloidosis" covers a group of diseases associated with the deposition of protein aggregates organized into amyloid fibrils in different organs. About forty amyloidosis are known so far, amongst which Alzheimer's disease, type II diabetes and immunoglobulin amyloidosis [1]. Although the mechanism of amyloid fibrils formation at the molecular level is not yet completely understood, it has been shown that the capacity to form amyloid fibrils in vitro is an intrinsic property of all polypeptide chains [1]. The choice of model proteins to investigate the aggregation process in vitro is therefore no more restrained to proteins involved in amyloidosis but can be settled on a wide variety of proteins. In this study, we have chosen to investigate the mechanism of amyloid fibrils formation by two variable domains of camelid heavy-chain antibodies (referred to as VHHs or nanobodies), cAb-HuL6 and cAb-BcII10, and this choice was motivated by the following reasons: - First, VHHs are small monomeric proteins (~14 kDa) presenting a high stability and a high solubility [2], which permits their expression with a high yield (5-20 mg.L-1). - Second, a wide range of stable mutants of these two VHHs is available. Mutations located at the disulfide bond [3,4] and the CDRs [3] have been introduced. Characterisation of the aggregating properties of these mutants will allow the investigation of the impact of these structural elements on the process of fibril formation. In order to determine conditions in which cAb-HuL6 and cAb-BcII10 are more susceptible to form intermediates and thus amyloid fibrils, heat-induced unfolding experiments at pHs comprised in a range from 2,5 to 9,5 have been monitored by intrinsic fluorescence, ANS binding and far-UV circular dichroism. Then, aggregation experiments have been performed in the selected conditions and the presence of amyloid fibrils has been observed by thioflavin T fluorescence experiments and electron microscopy. The kinetics of aggregation obtained in the absence and the presence of seeding/cross-seeding allowed to identify the regions of the protein which could be involved in the formation of fibrils. [1] Chiti and Dobson, Annu. Rev. Biochem., 75, 2006, 333-366. [2] Dumoulin et al., Protein Sci., 11, 2002, 500-515. [3] Saerens et al., J. Mol. Biol., 352, 2005, 597-607. [4] Saerens et al., J. Mol. Biol., 377, 2008, 478-488. [less ▲]

Six variants of human lysozyme (single-point mutations I56T, F57I, W64R, D67H and double mutations F57I/T70N, W112R/T70N) are associated with a hereditary non-neuropathic systemic amyloidosis. These proteins form extracellular amyloid fibrils that deposit in a wide range of tissues and organs such as liver, spleen and kidneys where they cause damages [1]. It was shown that the D67H and I56T mutations cause a loss in stability and more particularly a loss of global cooperativity of protein [1]. Consequently, under physiologically relevant conditions, these variants can transiently populate a partially unfolded state in which the beta-domain and the C-helix are cooperatively unfolded while the rest of the protein remains native like [1]. The formation of intermolecular interactions between the regions that are unfolded in this intermediate state is likely to be a fundamental trigger of the aggregation process that ultimately leads to the formation and deposition of fibrils in tissues. The binding of three variable domain of camelid antibodies – also named nanobodies - (cAb-HuL 6 [2], cAb-HuL 5 and cAb-HuL 22 [3]) raised against the wild type human lysozyme inhibit in vitro the formation of amyloid fibrils by the lysozyme variants. These three nanobodies bind on different regions of lysozyme and act as amyloid fibrils inhibitor through different mechanisms. On one hand, cAb-HuL 6 and cAb-HuL 22 stabilize the native state of the lysozyme variants thus restoring the global cooperativity characteristic of the wild-type protein. On the other, cAb-HuL 5 probably acts by binding soluble prefibrillar aggregates. In the present work, sixteen other nanobodies specific of human lysozyme have been generated. Competition experiments have shown that they bind to five non overlapping epitopes. The effects of the binding of these nanobodies on the stability of the D67H variant of human lysozyme and on its aggregation into amyloid fibrils will be discussed. References [1] Dumoulin et al, (2006) Acc. Chem. Res, 39, 603-610. [2] Dumoulin et al, (2003) Nature, 424, 783-788. [3] Chan et al. (2008) Biochemistry, 47,11041-11054. [less ▲]

Six variants of human lysozyme (single-point mutations I56T, F57I, W64R, D67H and double mutations F57I/T70N, W112R/T70N) are associated with a hereditary non-neuropathic systemic amyloidose. These proteins form extracellular amyloid fibrils that deposit in a wide range of tissues and organs such as liver, spleen and kidneys where they cause damages [1]. It was shown that the D67H and I56T mutations cause a loss in stability and more particularly a loss of global cooperativity of protein [1]. Consequently, under physiologically relevant conditions, these variants can transiently populate a partially unfolded state in which the beta-domain and the C-helix are cooperatively unfolded while the rest of the protein remains native like [1]. The formation of intermolecular interactions between the regions that are unfolded in this intermediate state is likely to be a fundamental trigger of the aggregation process that ultimately leads to the formation and deposition of fibrils in tissues. The binding of three variable domain of camelid antibodies – also named nanobodies - (cAb-HuL 6 [2], cAb-HuL 5 and cAb-HuL 22 [3]) raised against the wild type human lysozyme inhibit in vitro the formation of amyloid fibrils by the lysozyme variants. These three nanobodies bind on different regions of lysozyme and act as Amyloid fibrils inhibitor through different mechanisms. On one hand, cAb-HuL 6 and cAb-HuL 22 stabilize the native state of the lysozyme variants thus restoring the global cooperativity characteristic of the wild-type protein. On the other, cAb-HuL 5 probably acts by binding soluble prefibrillar aggregates. In the present work, sixteen other nanobodies specific of human lysozyme have been generated. Competition experiments have shown that they bind to five non overlapping epitopes. The effects of the binding of these nanobodies on the stability of the D67H variant of human lysozyme and on its aggregation into amyloid fibrils will be discussed. [less ▲]